Sunday, May 20, 2007

London Moonwalk

Thousands of women, and men, have walked a marathon through the night wearing decorated bras to raise money for breast cancer research. Some 15,500 walkers took part in the 10th Moonwalk - a 26-mile night-time trek through the streets of London.

Founder Nina Barough, who has herself had breast cancer, said they were expecting to raise more than £5m. Now in its tenth year, Ms Barough said the annual event had began with just 25 participants.

"When I first started the thought of having women in bras in London on a Saturday night was not a good combination but it's just captured people's spirit and energy, and it's raised millions," she said.

The event began in Hyde Park on Saturday night with a recorded message of support from Prince Charles.

Then, under a giant pink marquee, entrants took part in a warm-up session that broke the record for the greatest number of people to take part in a session at any one time. The circular route took in many of London's most famous landmarks including the Millennium Bridge, Tower Bridge and the London Eye.